Asaram ashram inmate found dead, family alleges foul play

A 36-year-old follower of Asaram living at his ashram in Chhindwara was found dead on Sunday.

The body of Patiram Deharia, who had been living at the ashram for the last 14 years as a "sevadar", was found with a wound in the leg and his family accused the ashram management of having a role in his death.

Ashram staffers, however, say he died of snakebite. Deharia was a resident of village Neelkanthi of Chhindwara.

Chhindwara rural police station inspector KP Mishra said it appeared that the death was caused by snakebite but the exact reason can only be ascertained after autopsy. The police interrogated some people of the ashram in connection with the death.